One of America’s most popular hard-rock acts and arguably one of the biggest bands of all time, Aerosmith formed in the New England area of Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Lead vocalist, Steven Tyler (originally named Steven Tallarico) joined guitarist Joe Perry in a Cream-styled rock combo. Together with Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Ray Tabano,the band’s original line-up was complete, however after a very short period of time, Brad Whitord replaced Tabano.

After their first gig at the Nipmuc Regional High School, the band took the name, Aerosmith (named after the book, “Arrow Smith by Sinclair Lewis). Their popularity grew, and a triumphant gig at Max’s Kansas City in 1973 led to a recording contract with Columbia Records.

That year, Aerosmith secured a minor chart placing with their self-titled debt album. Its attendant single, ‘Dream On’, peaked at number 59 (it became a top 10 hit in 1976). Jack Douglas proved to become a great asset to the band with producing the highly successful album, ‘Toys in the Attic’, which sold in excess of six million copies worldwide. Tyler’s remarkable physical resemblance to Mick Jagger, and his foil like relationship with guitarist Joe Perry, also inspired comparisons with The Rolling Stones.

In 1978, tension between Tyler and Perry proved to be irreconcilable. The guitarist left the band and founded the Joe Perry Project, who was replaced by Jimmy Crespo in 1980. The following year Brad Whitford left to persue a new musical career. Rick Dufay debuted on ‘Rock In a Hard Place’, but this set failed to capture the fire of the band’s classic recordings.

Contact between the remaining band members and Perry and Whitford was re-established during a 1984 tour. Antagonisms were set aside and the following year the quintet’s most enduring line-up was performing together again. Tyler and Perry rid themselves of their notorious drug and alcohol dependencies. In 1986 they accompanied Run-DMC on ‘Walk this Way’, an Aerosmith song from ‘Toys in the Attic’ and a former US top 10 entry. The collaboration, which reached number 4, rekindled interest in Aerosmith’s career and helped push rap music into the mainstream.

‘Permanent Vacation’ became one of their best selling albums, and the first to make an impression in the UK. The following year they achieved a US number 1 with the infamous ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’. The song stayed at the top for four weeks and provided the band with their first top 5 UK single.

Aerosmith’s latest album, ‘Honkin’ On Bobo’ is dedicated to the blues roots of their music and the music they all grew up listening to. Aerosmith have even had a rollercoaster dedicated to them called the Rockin’ Rollercoaster at MGM studios Disney World, Florida.

Sources: Mathew Jones; Joan Goldsworthy

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